This story originally appeared on i-D Germany.
BABYNYMPH has always been willing to take risks. Born in Moscow and raised in Athens, the DJ and producer spent her youth “chronically online” before finding a home in the club scene at 14 and eventually dropping out of school to pursue her dreams. “For me there was really only one way: I fully go for it and see what happens or I don’t even bother,” Baby says, matter of factly. Still only 23, BABYNYMPH’s music — as non-conformist as her approach to life — has already built up a loyal international fanbase and led to collaborations with hyperpop icons like the late SOPHIE and Chase Icon.
We met Baby in Berlin ahead of her headline set at Trauma Bar to discover more about her years in the Greek club scene, her video game-inspired aesthetic, and her upcoming debut album, Climax.
Let’s start with the basics. What’s the story behind the name BABYNYMPH?
It kind of just happened naturally. My ex-boyfriend always called me ‘nymph’, so I just added the ‘baby’ to make it sound sweeter. Baby later became my real name. It’s a pretty perfect name when you think about it – no sentence sounds scary if it starts with ‘baby’.
How would you describe your personality?
I’m definitely more or less introverted. I recently moved to a small town in the Netherlands with my fiancé. I don’t have any real friends there other than him, which is kind of perfect for me at the moment, because I can recharge my social battery when I’m on tour but always have my little nest to come back to between shows.
Is BABYNYMPH a kind of alter ego?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that BABYNYMPH is an alter ego. I think it’s just my ultimate form. I’m naturally quite unhinged and intense; BABYNYMPH is simply the most extreme expression of all my characteristics. As an artist, I have the opportunity to create my own bubble where I can do whatever I want. I can immerse people in my world while retaining full control.
How did you get started with DJing and producing?
I’ve always loved singing and dancing for other people – when I was little, I performed entire shows for my grandparents. I have always been an attention whore. I think my first DJ gig was at Hollywood Pub, a bar in Athens that became a second home for me and my friends, where we often hosted parties and worked on our skills. For that I am forever grateful to R2K, the owner of the bar! He’s like the ultimate daddy for all the girls in Athens. He was the only one who made space for us, no one else was interested in our bullshit.
How has your sound evolved since then?
In the beginning, I was obsessed with the idea that my music had to sound like something that had never existed before. I later realised that this is stupid, because no matter what my music reminds you of, it will always be my own interpretation of an endless mix of references that influence me and that I perhaps even subconsciously imitate. The less I think about these things, the better I can fully express myself. My sound has evolved from a fixation on trying to make something as complicated as possible to just wanting to have fun and not worrying about my shit being perfect and overly polished.
You just mentioned your various references. Which musical genres do you think specifically flow into your music?
I listen to all kinds of music, from classical to metal to jazz to pop and some crazy experimental fucked-up shit. I’m into anything as long as it sounds interesting to me. I’m also a sucker for crazy crossovers that you’d think could never coexist.
Many people know you from your work with SOPHIE and Chase Icon. How did those collaborations come about?
Both collaborations came about naturally because they’re my friends. I was very close with SOPHIE and she believed in me from the beginning of my career. She wanted to give me an extra push and was interested in working with me before I’d even released anything.
You released your debut EP Pornopop: Abhorrence in March via your own label, KUNTHOUSE. Why did you decide to release independently?
Because my friend SOPHIE always advised me to do so. I think it’s the smartest thing you can do as an artist in 2023. Having control over your streams and royalties is important because you never know what will happen. If your shit happens to be blowing up on TikTok, why would you share that paycheque with a label?
Do you plan to sign other artists in the future?
I originally started KUNTHOUSE because I couldn’t imagine being part of anything else. I know that some of the things I’m up to visually and musically might be too extreme for most labels, so I don’t want to have to hold myself back for anyone. Plus, I’m from Athens, and I know so many great artists who are stuck there and don’t know how to get their stuff out. I’m not a gatekeeper. I’ve managed to get out of the Athens spiral and spread my music worldwide, and I really enjoy helping others by sharing my knowledge, experience and connections with those I believe in. That’s why I’m definitely interested in signing artists in the future.
What was the inspiration for Pornopop: Abhorrence?
The inspiration for the EP was simply a stream of unhinged rage. I was preparing an album when my laptop and hard-drive were stolen and I lost access to all my files. Now I know better and use iCloud.
What does your creative process typically look like?
It’s different every time. I recorded my new single “Ice”, for example, at Pirate Studios in Berlin. I was really angry that day and needed to let my energy out. A series of unfortunate events meant that I had to go to the studio a few times in a row. I was pretty high and was recording the tracks completely randomly. In general, I prefer to have more fun at work and think less about the result. This allows me to get as crazy as possible.
Do you remember your very first performance?
My first real gig was on the first stop of my tour last year in Vienna. It was pretty wild and, after I played, the whole room was so wet that there were sweat stains on the walls. I only started releasing music during lockdown, so last year I was able to tour and give concerts for the first time. That was exciting, but also extremely overwhelming. I never expected everything to get so big so quickly.
What are the best moments of your gigs for you personally?
I love it when my friends and especially my fiancé go on tour with me. I love seeing how much fun they have. I think the right audience is definitely crucial for a good gig. I want to see excitement and engagement. I love chaotic energy. I want things to be intense to the max.
How would you describe the BABYNYMPH aesthetic?
I’m mostly inspired by anime and video games. I love looking like a video game character. I feel like life is a video game where you can design your own avatar ie. your body. I’m into body modifications, plastic surgery, makeup, and interesting clothing. I find it so boring if you don’t change your appearance; a real lack of individuality. That’s not how I want to live my life.
Love that. We hear there’s an album on the horizon…
Yes! I’m currently working on my new album, Climax, which is very different from anything I’ve done before. The record is dedicated to my fiancé and is very gentle and bubbly. It’s interesting to see how in love I am, how I’m making this love-inspired music when I usually rely on emotions like anger when it comes to making club music. When I say “gentle” though, it’s my own interpretation of the word. Y’all know it’s gonna be unhinged as fuck.
Do you have a message for the people reading this?
If you come to my show and are in a K-Hole, please don’t stand at the front moving like zombies, enjoy the show from the back of the room and make room for the wired tweakers!
And finally, what’s next for you?
A lot of plastic surgery and a penthouse in Rotterdam.
Credits
Photography Studio Reyes – Israela Fede Reyes & Rachel Israela
Makeup Bey
Hair Rebe